Vikings Sign Ex-Titans Safety

Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens (DB56) speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. The Minnesota Vikings hadn’t signed a new player from free agency in 47 days, quite the drought for summer activity. The Vikings have added safety Gervarrius Owens — a former 7th-round pick with past stints on the Giants and Titans. Here’s what the move could mean with training camp in full motion. That ended Wednesday, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah added safety Gervarrius Owens, who will join the 90-man roster and compete for a spot on the regular season depth chart. With the addition of Owens, 25, Minnesota cut ties with veteran off-ball linebacker Max Tooley. A New Safety for the Vikings’ Summer Roster Owens found his way to Minnesota after stops in New York (Giants) and Tennessee. New York Giants safety Gervarrius Owens (31) appears puzzled after his mouth guard became lodged in one of the ventilation holes of his helmet during second-quarter action against the Detroit Lions. Captured on August 11, 2023, the bizarre moment added levity to a spirited preseason game. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports. Vikings Sign Gervarrius Owens Vikings.com’s Craig Peters broke the news of the transaction, “The Vikings on Wednesday announced they have signed safety Gervarrius (pronounced ger-VAHR-ee-us) Owens. The former seventh-round pick of the Giants (254th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, Owens joined Minnesota after spending time with New York and Tennessee.” The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis added, “Owens has played with Giants and Titans in the last two years. Played some special teams. Former 7th-round pick.” Owens is evidently in the mix as a special teams asset, as Minnesota has plenty of safeties on hand to hold down the fort defensively. Drop LB Max Tooley Minnesota also offloaded Tooley, who joined the franchise in September 2024. Adofo-Mensah even handed Tooley a futures contract in January, but he’ll hit free agency unless the Vikings opt to re-sign him sometime down the road. Brigham Young linebacker Max Tooley (31) celebrates after delivering a tackle for loss in the first quarter of a matchup against Utah State. Captured on September 29, 2022, the scene at LaVell Edwards Stadium highlights Tooley’s energy and impact for the Cougars. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports. Minnesota has Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, rookie Kobe King, and Brian Asamoah in the fold for inside linebacking responsibilities, so Tooley was unlikely to make the active roster next month. The 27-year-old Tooley has yet to take a regular season snap in the NFL. Who’s Gervarrius Owens? Owens has appeared in two professional games to date, tallying 41 special teams snaps, mostly with the Giants in 2023, and one single defensive play last year with the Titans. At Houston in college, he saw action in 46 games, logging 208 total tackles and 4 interceptions. Houston Cougars safety Gervarrius Owens (32) reacts after Cincinnati missed a field goal in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. Captured on December 4, 2021, the moment at Nippert Stadium highlights a pivotal shift in the first half. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports. Owens is not a big-name summer addition, and sans injuries emerging for Minnesota, should be considered a practice squad contender for the 2025 campaign. It’s worth noting, for context, however, that the Vikings signed Theo Jackson in a similar fashion three years ago — and now he’ll start for the 2025 team. The Revised Safety Room Here’s how Owens fits into the current Vikings safety picture: Harrison Smith Josh Metellus Theo Jackson Jay Ward Mishael Powell Gervarrius Owens He might need to dethrone Ward and Powell to score the 53-man roster upset. Owens’ Scouting Report At the University of Houston, Owens served as a four-year starter and team captain. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein profiled him before the 2023 NFL Draft: “Owens has the physical ingredients to play safety. The mistakes he put on tape should be a concern, though. His cornerback background shows with the way he matches route breaks from man coverage, but he lacks the field vision and instincts to become a consistent playmaker from man or zone.” “Owens is a willing and physical hitter, but he takes suspect angles to the football and has too many missed tackles after the catch and in run support. He has draftable traits, but the issues might be a difficult fix.” Tennessee Titans safety G. Owens (33) eludes Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) during a first-quarter return at Lucas Oil Stadium. Captured on December 22, 2024, the image showcases Owens’s athleticism and field awareness in a heated AFC South clash. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images. NFL Draft Buzz claimed Owens was “an explosive mover with quickness and speed; he’s at his best attacking downhill, shooting gaps in run support, and disrupting the backfield,” and that he was “quicker than he is fast but has a burst to close in zone coverage and plays physical at the line in man.” Owens will turn 26 in October — right in the middle of Minnesota’s bye week.